How much does senior nutrition in Des Moines cost?
The price of senior meal delivery depends on a myriad of variables including the organization providing the food, what is delivered, and how often deliveries take place. The following research from September of 2021 provides a glimpse of the average cost for some of the most popular choices in the Des Moines area:
Service | Average Entree Cost | Senior-Specific | Special Diets | Preparation | Delivery |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Meals On Wheels | Sliding Scale | Yes | Yes | Ready to eat | Delivered by volunteer each weekday |
Snap Kitchen | $10.50 | No | Yes | Ready to heat | Delivered via FedEx/UPS |
Meal Pro | $8.99-$13.99 | Yes | Yes | Ready to heat | Shipped via FedEx |
Mom’s Meals | $6.99 | Yes | Yes | Ready to heat | Delivered via FedEx/UPS |
Price is an important consideration but shouldn’t be the only thing you look at. For example, older adults with hypertension must follow a strict diet to avoid adverse health effects. If your senior has a comparable medical condition that requires a specific diet, you have to verify that a meal delivery service will be able to accommodate it.
Who suffers from food insecurity in Des Moines?
You might think that older Americans would be more likely to suffer from food insecurity than their younger peers, but research conducted by Feeding America indicates that the opposite is true. Many potential reasons have been offered for this, ranging from the experience of older seniors to higher rates of institutionalization as older adults age.
You don’t want your loved one to go hungry at any age, and thankfully, multiple types of support are available. Insurance and Medicare frequently cover at least part of the cost of senior meal delivery, so review your loved one’s policy to see what they might qualify for. Government programs and local food banks can also help ensure that seniors have enough to eat.
How to choose the best senior meal delivery service in Des Moines
With so many senior meal delivery services to choose from you might be wondering how the heck you’re supposed to make the right choice for your older adult. It begins by asking your senior what they want to eat and ruling out any services that don’t provide their favorite meals. Variety is also important as you don’t want your senior to have the same meal day after day. Next, verify that each service on your shortlist accepts your senior’s insurance and can accommodate any allergies or dietary restrictions that might be in play. The logistics of deliveries also matter as volunteers can add some much-needed social stimulation to a homebound senior’s day.
Our comprehensive guide to senior meal delivery includes great tips for ensuring that all of your senior’s needs are met, so be sure to consult it often as you research.
Find senior meal services in Des Moines
Nothing is more heartbreaking than thinking about a beloved senior with nothing to have for dinner, but senior meal delivery can ensure that your older adult always has access to the healthy, nutritious foods they need to age in place successfully. Seasons provides free Des Moines senior meal service reviews that cover the entire region, making it easy to identify and compare the best services in the city and surrounding neighborhoods like Ames. We’ve made it easy to get started, so what are you waiting for?